The Shadow in the Past by Itarille
Reviews (23)
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Fimbrethil
· 5 November 2025
· Chapter 8: Rath Dinen
“He thought of his father, who had somehow deemed Faramir’s life so precious that he had lost his will to live upon seeing Faramir at death’s door.”
“And if I may add, Faramir, though he loved Boromir greatly, it was not with Boromir that he wished to meet death side by side.” True…rather with Faramir, and near Finduilas’s remains…
“the list of their family’s heirlooms, he found written ‘For Faramir, to be given in celebration of his wedding, or upon my passing.’ A shield and a long bow bestowed upon Steward Húrin by King Minardil, and a sword which had belonged to Steward Cirion.
Then there were the jewels. Only a few were given to him, but what a few. Finduilas’ betrothal ring, and her set of tiara, necklace and ring, crafted following an ancient picture of the Nauglamir.
As for the library, Denethor had left almost all to him, save for some books and tomes which Denethor insisted every Steward must read and master.
The letters exchanged between Denethor and Finduilas, and some of Finduilas’ paintings and needlework.” Hum ho! wonderful—the weapons especially! Will he use the Steward books, or give them to Aragorn?
“Tomorrow he would seek Lady Éowyn and told her that he loved her. It mattered not whether she returned his love (though he rather thought she did), for he would be content loving her from afar.” awwwww.
Author's reply
Faramir will keep all the books, I imagined.
The last line is my favourite :)
Fimbrethil
· 5 November 2025
· Chapter 7: Waiting
Wow! The emotions are strong here! Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you for reading this far!
Fimbrethil
· 5 November 2025
· Chapter 5: The Steward and His Son
Oh oh! I do not think Aragorn would give Denethor permission to use the stone, at least not while Sauron has the Ithil stone. Maybe it is a mercy Finduilas isn’t here (and Elfhild, Théodwyn and Éomund, too for that matter)
Author's reply
Ah, it's a good point. Aragorn (or any wise king) would discourage the use of a palantir while Sauron has the Ithil stone.
Fimbrethil
· 5 November 2025
· Chapter 3: Enduring
Faramir and Denethor hug! Their relationship is still good enough for the moment.
Author's reply
There must be hugs over the years...
Thank you for leaving a review!
Fimbrethil
· 5 November 2025
· Chapter 2: Foresight
“Which son? The question came to Denethor’s mind, but he did not say it, for does it matter which of your sons was doomed to fall in battle? “
Good question, and interesting it was Faramir, not Boromir. But I guess Finduilas did always like Faramir better.
Author's reply
I imagined Finduilas herself was not sure whether her vision showed Boromir or Faramir.
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
PSW
· 19 January 2025
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
This was a lovely, insightful story. The relationship between Denathor and Faramir reads absolutely true to me - a real exploration into both minds, being fair to each and offering each his rightful place. I don’t often read stories about the relationship between these two, but I’m so glad I read this one. Thx so much for sharing.
(Also, what a fun link for Elizabeth I’s letters! I have a friend who will absolutely love it…)
Author's reply
Thank you! Denethor and Faramir fascinated me, but I know my take on their relationship is not the popular /conventional one. I'm glad the story resonates with you.
Yes, the Queen's letters are precious gems. I'm quite impressed by her writing-- quite elegant and erudite. I've never come across any private letters written that way.
Periantari
· 22 November 2024
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
The letter is written with so much love and is so touching. Lovely end to a very thought-provoking, well described and wonderful story!
It is a rare look into Finduilas and her family and i believe you capture each character's voices very well.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Periantari
· 22 November 2024
· Chapter 8: Rath Dinen
Lovely description of how Faramir might've found Denethor's ashes. It is written with care and wit and i really enjoy your attention to details.
Standing alone in the quiet place, Faramir could well imagine his father’s last moments. The thought that nothing else mattered, the conviction that darkness had won and day would not come again, the crackling of firewood, the smell of burning flesh, the unbearable heat—but how could he say unbearable? Someone had borne it.
It is painful to imagine but I think you wrote this very well.
The last part of Faramir having discovered Denethor leaving him heirlooms is a good ending and i especially liked the part that Denethor thinks Faramir will eventually wed.
Author's reply
Thank you!
Since there was rain, which would have entered the building and eventually quenched the fire (the dome / roof was damaged), it is possible that the body was not fully cremated.
The remains could be even more disturbing than what I've described, but I intentionally avoided making it too gory. I would assume Hurin took care of any particularly gruesome details.
Periantari
· 22 November 2024
· Chapter 7: Waiting
What a heartbreaking chapter. Really good insight into Denethor's thoughts.
I have a question that occurred just reading this. Would it be possible that the Palantir had influenced Denenthor's last military decisions? Since Sauron had grasped into Denethor's mind, was it in Denethor's right mind to make his last decisions?
This son, too, had loved him greatly, Denethor thought, and he felt the invisible knife that had stabbed his heart at Finduilas’ death plunge deeper into his being.
wow how powerfully heart-breaking. :( Lovely writing.
Author's reply
By "last military decisions", do you mean Denethor's decision to defend the border (Osgiliath)? If yes, I would say he was in his right mind when he made that decision. Bitter, anxious about the impending attack, grieving, yes. But in his right mind.
I wrote something about this, which will be Chapter 4 of the story "The Eve of May". I will post it next week. If you have time, read it and let me know what you think :)
I think Denethor only "lost his wisdom" after he saw Faramir near death. He then used the Palantir again, and it was only then that Sauron "tricked" him into thinking that the black ships are the enemy's fleet.
Thank you for leaving a review and a question!
Periantari
· 22 November 2024
· Chapter 6: The Steward and His Heir
It's nice to see moments where Faramir and Denethor showed care for each other. I know some authors paint the picture that Denethor did not care for his second son but i think it is more fanon than actual canon . Denethor may have preferred Boromir (though i'm not sure if this is explicitly mentioned, maybe in his Tolkien's Letters?) but didn't mean he didn't care for Faramir. I really liked these conversations in this chapter.
Author's reply
If I remember correctly, in the book, when Gandalf told Pippin about Denethor, he mentioned "Boromir, whom he loved best". And in the Appendix (about the Stewards), it iwas mentioned that Denethor loved Finduilas above any other, save his eldest son. My understanding is Denethor loved both his sons, but he did favour Boromir above Faramir.
Thank you for reading and leaving a review! It made me happy to have chance to talk about them.
Aldwen
· 15 November 2024
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Thank you for this wonderful story - it is very moving! I love your Denethor - stern and proud, but not deliberately cold and cruel, like so many other fan works portray him. I find your characterization of him much more believable - a father who raised two brave and noble sons surely had good qualities.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and reviewing! I am glad you found it moving.
(Book) Denethor is quite a character.
Leithian
· 11 November 2024
· Chapter 7: Waiting
This chapter is interesting since it provides another view of Faramir and Denethor's parting. Of course the popular view is that they did not have a healthy relationship as is evident from the final hurtful words of Denethor to Faramir. I also wonder what on Arda possessed him to say so.
I wonder what the relationship between Denethor and Prince Imrahil had been like. In the book we do not see interaction between them, and Imrahil is mentioned merely as a kinsman of Faramir. But Faramir was his sister-son, a relationship that is important in Tolkien's works. Perhaps Imrahil was close to Faramir and I imagine that Imrahil might have blamed Denethor for Faramir's injury in battle.
Will you share your views on this matter?
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us. Take care
Leithian
Author's reply
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree that the popular view is plausible: Denethor and Faramir did not have a good relationship, and Denethor was largely to blame.
However, Tolkien does describe Denethor as a noble man who possessed nearly the full grace of Númenor.
To me, Faramir (in the book) does not appear cowered or damaged by his father. If anything, I think he gave as good as he got (albeit in a gentle manner) in his conversations with Denethor.
I think Imrahil had a close relationship with Faramir. The way he shouted "Amroth to Faramir!" as he rode onto the Pelennor, the way he bore the wounded Faramir in his arms, and his words to Denethor ("Your son has returned, after great deeds") all reflect this closeness.
Leithian
· 11 November 2024
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Oh dear, this chapter is beautiful, almost painfully so. I never thought of Finduilais and Denethor in this manner and now I think I understand them better, and I thank you for that. And I do hope that they would find peace and togetherness in death for that is, perhaps, the gift of Men.
Author's reply
Thank you for your encouraging words.
I believe each of them would find peace and joy at the Hall of Mandos and beyond Arda, even without being together.
Meeting each other again would be an added blessing.
shirebound
· 9 November 2024
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
I am sure they are together again, and their joy must shine as brightly as the Sun.
Author's reply
Thank you!
shirebound
· 9 November 2024
· Chapter 8: Rath Dinen
His father had loved him; he would leave it at that. His father, mother and brother were gone; but they had loved him, and he would cherish the memory of their life together.
Faramir has been well and truly healed, and the slow-growing despair that consumed his father will never happen to him. Now come the days of the King, and his wise Steward. Thank you for such a wonderful story.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and leaving a review!
He is healed, though I think he will carry within him the sadness he felt for his father all his life.
shirebound
· 9 November 2024
· Chapter 7: Waiting
You fill in these gaps so beautifully. Poor Denethor's emotional wounds have reopened and are overwhelmeding him.
Author's reply
Thank you! I still cannot understand what had possessed him to say his last words to Faramir. His other utterances in the book, I can understand (or at least I can imagine some reasons). But the last line, it sounds like he said it with the intention to hurt Faramir.
shirebound
· 26 October 2024
· Chapter 6: The Steward and His Heir
Faramir looked at Denethor and nodded. “What I would not give to stay here with my father, though!”
“Gondor, that is what you would not give.”
What a perceptive exchange. Your dialogues ring so true.
I appreciate how you continue to subtly weave the spirit of Finduilas (or should it be Finduilas' spirit) into the lives and memories of these two noble men.
Author's reply
Thank you! I imagined that the absence of Finduilas felt like a ‘presence’ within their family. It’s like how an empty chair can remind us of someone, rather than making us forget them just because the chair is empty.
periantari
· 23 October 2024
· Chapter 5: The Steward and His Son
This is a really interesting scene and consideration of if Faramir knew that Denethor used the palantir and a good conversation about how it'll be if Faramir had persuaded Denethor to not do so. I liked how you said he used it to see where Boromir is which makes sense.
I do like the Faramir and Denethor relationship you describe here. And your character voices are very well written.
This is a great story and i enjoyed the earlier parts as well. The chapter of Finduilas passing was heart-breaking.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate that you could still enjoy my story, even though (based on some of your stories) you have different interpretation of our Steward.
shirebound
· 19 October 2024
· Chapter 5: The Steward and His Son
This is an absolutely stunning chapter. The Professor would be proud.
Author's reply
Thank you, that is high praise indeed. You are very kind.
shirebound
· 19 October 2024
· Chapter 4: A Love Letter
This is a tender moment between father and sons. What a treasure for Faramir.
Author's reply
Thank you. You always have kind words to share.
Camp6311
· 12 October 2024
· Chapter 4: A Love Letter
This is excellent and so beautifully written. Sad really to think the shadow already has its tentacles into the Steward's family and has claimed its first victim.
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, it is sad. And we know Denethor's end was even sadder.
shirebound
· 12 October 2024
· Chapter 3: Enduring
What a moving story. You really bring Denethor and Finduilas to life for us.
Author's reply
Thank you for your kind review. I hope you enjoyed the story. It is a rather unusual interpretation, I know.
shirebound
· 6 October 2024
· Chapter 2: Foresight
This is a beautifully-written tale, a true love story.
We have no doubt all wished for greater foresight in our lives, but under such a growing shadow would it bring anything but heartache?
Author's reply
Shirebound,
You always have a genuinely nice thing to say. Thank you for leaving a review!
Yes, knowing too much is not always good. Though I believe that foresight came from the Valar, and had a purpose.